By the word prospon (“person”) we define a referential reality. The referential character of the term is revealed fundamentally by its primitive use, that is, by its grammatical construction and etymology. The presoposition pros (“towards”) together with the noun ops (opos in the genitive), which means “eye,” “face,” countenance,” form the composite word pros–opon: I have my face turned towards someone or something; I am opposite someone or something. The words thus functioned initially as a term indicating an immediate reference, a relationship.
Prospon, or person, is defined as reference and relation and itself defines a reference and relation. The word’s primordial semantic content does not allow us to interpret personhood simply as individuality outside the field of relation.
Christos Yannaras, Person and Eros (Brookline, MA; Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 2007), p. 5.
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